Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Stephen burton on June 25, 2019, 01:52:03 pm

Title: Customer cancelled
Post by: Stephen burton on June 25, 2019, 01:52:03 pm
Anyone else had this before

We are sorry to say that we have decided that we no longer want you to clean our windows.

We are currently having our windows repainted and this has revealed that some of the window frames have sufficiently bad rot that substantial repair is necessary.  The rot has occurred because water has got into the wood where paint and putty has been dislodged.  Whilst it is not the whole story we believe that your new system of using a cleaner on the end of a pole may have contributed to the damage.

We have enjoyed knowing you and you have always provided us with a reliable service.

Best wishes and thanks
Title: Re: Customer cancelled
Post by: The Jester of Wibbly on June 25, 2019, 02:04:16 pm
Just let it go and not worry about it.   Its just the bad condition and lack of maitanance needed for wooden frames.  It's more down to the eliments of the weather.
Title: Re: Customer cancelled
Post by: Small but perfectley formed on June 25, 2019, 02:15:54 pm
You've probably caused rising damp global warming and the Guys prostate cancer as well  ;D ;D
Title: Re: Customer cancelled
Post by: Richard iSparkle on June 25, 2019, 02:20:35 pm
had something similar about a wooden conservatory,

in a way they are right that rubbing and rinsing them with water won't have helped the situation, but like another said, down to their poor maintenance

Title: Re: Customer cancelled
Post by: Shrek on June 25, 2019, 02:26:21 pm
Really  ??? - it’s down to cleaning 12 times a year?
Not the rain that falls 156 days a year  ::)roll
People shouldn’t have wooden framed windows if they can’t look after them
Title: Re: Customer cancelled
Post by: jonboywalton75 on June 25, 2019, 02:27:56 pm
One lady asked me to squeegee her windows cos of too much water on the brickwork under the sills.
She said it would cause damage eventually!!!
That was about 4 years ago, she was 80 at the time, she died 2 months ago.
The brickwork is unchanged dedpite me WF poling them
Some people haven't got the brains of a slug.
Title: Re: Customer cancelled
Post by: Splash & dash on June 25, 2019, 03:29:20 pm
Yes we have had the same a few times it’s usualy the decorated that has said we are responsible for the rot but using our broom to clean the windows , I just explained that rain will do far more damage than we do but to an extent I guess it dies add to it a bit , don’t like doing wooden windows any way 😂😂😂
Title: Re: Customer cancelled
Post by: PHILIP HARDY on June 25, 2019, 03:39:10 pm
Got one the other day, he hadnt paid for his last two cleans so dropped him off an invoice for payment with the clean, I have copied and pasted the exact Whatsapp he sent me

Hi Phil,
I’ve transferred the outstanding money over to you as per the invoice.
We’re going to cancel the window cleaning service going forward as we don’t believe we require it


Dont require it as he had to pay three cleans in one go more like, felt like responding with "thats the strangest reason I  have ever got the sack!!"  but once again discretion prevailed and I just moved him to "completed job" on George and moved on!!
Title: Re: Customer cancelled
Post by: dazmond on June 25, 2019, 06:00:22 pm
Anyone else had this before

We are sorry to say that we have decided that we no longer want you to clean our windows.

We are currently having our windows repainted and this has revealed that some of the window frames have sufficiently bad rot that substantial repair is necessary.  The rot has occurred because water has got into the wood where paint and putty has been dislodged.  Whilst it is not the whole story we believe that your new system of using a cleaner on the end of a pole may have contributed to the damage.

We have enjoyed knowing you and you have always provided us with a reliable service.

Best wishes and thanks

yep...ive had this a few times.......and they are right...... WFPoling wooden windows that are in bad condition just makes them worse over time.....i still clean some jobs with crappy wooden windows though.....but its getting less and less as customers replace them with plastic ones.....
Title: Re: Customer cancelled
Post by: nathankaye on June 25, 2019, 06:10:35 pm
If I get an enquiry from someone with wooden frames, I always look at the condition of the frames before I begin. If they don't look well maintained, then I don't go ahead and quote for the Job.


Title: Re: Customer cancelled
Post by: robbo333 on June 25, 2019, 06:39:26 pm
That's a shame. You'll probably find in 3 months time, you'll see someone else polling them!
Title: Re: Customer cancelled
Post by: Ooooooog on June 25, 2019, 07:04:06 pm
Usually those with wooden frames have the money. Upvc is for the working class innit.
These days if a customer complains, I give them a refund, smile and move on,
Title: Re: Customer cancelled
Post by: The Jester of Wibbly on June 25, 2019, 07:07:27 pm
We should have a national trades person register available to run customer checks on.   

But they are too protected for that.   
Title: Re: Customer cancelled
Post by: Slacky on June 25, 2019, 08:08:07 pm
And so they should be. Otherwise there’d be customers  getting very dodgy character assassinations from uneducated window cleaners eager to prove their stupidity and lack of education.
Title: Re: Customer cancelled
Post by: JandS on June 25, 2019, 08:28:06 pm
Until last week I didn't have any wooden frames......picked up a detached that owners have built themselves and it has wooden windows......they are brand new and have yet to do them so will see how they fare down the line.
Title: Re: Customer cancelled
Post by: Windy Miller on June 25, 2019, 09:00:43 pm
Lucky escape mate, at least they didn't try to imply you were liable for the damage.
Window cleaners take the fall for everything, if a painter covers the glass in paint it's 'oh the window cleaner will sort it' but usually you're expected to do it at no extra cost.
Wooden frames falling apart it's the window cleaner not them being buffeted by wind and rain all year or cold/heat and condensation.
Dodgy unit in a new double glazed window it's not shoddy workmanship from the company who made them but the window cleaner lightly cleaning and rinsing them.

I have two on my round which are kept in immaculate condition and are a pleasure to clean. Can think of at least two that I stopped going to  because they were in such bad condition with leaks and putty coming off them.
Title: Re: Customer cancelled
Post by: SB Cleaning on June 25, 2019, 09:04:48 pm
WFP is a modern system for modern windows.
Title: Re: Customer cancelled
Post by: KS Cleaning on June 25, 2019, 09:51:41 pm
Wooden windows aren’t a problem if they’re properly maintained, that said varnished/stained windows will require more frequent maintenance if they’re subjected to wfp’ling as most varnishes aren’t as hard wearing as paint.
Title: Re: Customer cancelled
Post by: Jonny 87 on June 26, 2019, 06:06:50 am
Painters recommend that wooden windows need repainted every 2 yers.

If that’s not been done, then it’s the lack of maintenance, not a cleaning method.
Title: Re: Customer cancelled
Post by: JackieW on June 26, 2019, 05:59:07 pm
Anyone else had this before

We are sorry to say that we have decided that we no longer want you to clean our windows.

We are currently having our windows repainted and this has revealed that some of the window frames have sufficiently bad rot that substantial repair is necessary.  The rot has occurred because water has got into the wood where paint and putty has been dislodged.  Whilst it is not the whole story we believe that your new system of using a cleaner on the end of a pole may have contributed to the damage.

We have enjoyed knowing you and you have always provided us with a reliable service.

Best wishes and thanks

What a respectful cancellation from a customer. I would be happy to have one like that
Title: Re: Customer cancelled
Post by: CraigDowney on June 28, 2019, 10:17:58 pm
We should have a national trades person register available to run customer checks on.   

But they are too protected for that.   



I have said this time and time again. If banks can run checks on your finance history, I'm sure a business can work around a customer recommendation site... Like trusted trader.